Toronto-based QD Solar, which creates quantum dot-based solar cells using nano-engineered, low-cost materials that can absorb otherwise wasted infrared light, is among five winners of the US-based SunRISE TechBridge Challenge.
The company will receive support from Greentown Launch acceleration — a six-month prototype accelerator program based in Somerville, MA — and DSM Partnership/Investment to help move forward in developing their technology and bring it closer to market. QD Solar is targeting the solar panel industry, and is combining QD Solar’s product into solar panels with existing solar cells to boost overall power generation by 20 per cent.
In March, the company raised $2.55 million from the federal government through its Sustainable Development Technology Canada Fund. At the time, QD Solar CEO Dan Shea said the company was using the funding to “develop, test and de-risk our solar cells while concurrently developing and scaling up the manufacturing processes needed to economically bring this technology to market.”